Green Cleaning University release

April 24, 2009

Lincolnwood, IL, — ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has announced the launching of a new sales-education program called ISSA Green Cleaning University, intended to help members better understand and utilize green cleaning in their sales activities.

“ISSA and GreenCleaningUniversity will help sales personnel differentiate themselves and their companies in the ever-more-crowded green marketplace while promoting professionalism within the industry, which is a core association goal,” said ISSA Executive Director John Garfinkel. “This is one more benefit in a series of initiatives ISSA has launched to help our members navigate the increasing demands of their customers to help green their operations.”

The association offers an extensive green cleaning library for members at www.issa.com/green, including a compendium of current state, federal, and local green-procurement requirements; product-claim standards; white papers on the connection between green cleaning and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, or LEED EB:OM; and many other valuable resources. ISSA also recently conducted a two-day forum in Washington, D.C, to update members regarding the latest developments on the regulatory, legislative, and green-certification fronts.

The new GreenCleaningUniversity program consists of 10 courses, administered via CD-ROM, including instruction in defining green and green cleaning; building a complete bundle of green products; and implementing a green cleaning program.

The program, founded by The Ashkin Group President Stephen P. Ashkin and David Holly, has so far awarded the title of Green Cleaning Professional to approximately 300 individuals who have passed the program’s exams to earn this designation of professional competency.

“There are tens of thousands of salespeople working for cleaning-product distributors, manufacturers, and service providers,” said Ashkin. “GreenCleaningUniversity allows these individuals to become more proficient with green cleaning, which in turn will accelerate its adoption in the marketplace. This will also have a significant positive impact on the health of the people in the buildings we care for as well as on the environment.”

In addition to the required coursework, students must complete a green audit of a facility and write up a report for the facility’s management to achieve the Green Cleaning Professional designation.

This requirement provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn practical, real-world lessons about how to create a more effective cleaning program that utilizes greener cleaning products and reduces risks to occupants, cleaning personnel, and the environment.

“ISSA’s partnership with Green Cleaning University leverages the strengths of both organizations and will promote the adoption of cleaning programs that protect human health while minimizing overall environmental impacts,” said ISSA President Bob Stahurski.

For more information on this and other green cleaning programs available through ISSA, visit www.issa.com/green or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.